Abstract: A security improved credit, debit, pass, or cash card is a colorless and transparent semirigid plastic card member with non reflective faces, with no permanent imprinting on the card member to visually identify an issuer, an owner or a card number, but with temporary identification that can be removed by the owner of the card and can be visually read only when backed by an opaque sheet. The card has a bending line across a face of the card member that is a slit through the card with a hinge of flexible plastic film attached over the slit. The card has an opening cut through the card member to allow a person's finger nail to engage the opening to pull the card from a wallet or to attach the card on a shirt button.

Abstract: In card printing, to allow registration and positioning of card-like originals C when making a master plate by duplication to be accomplished both easily and accurately, the card-like originals are positioned and set up on an original positioning holder for card printing 30 having original set up position designating marks 34 and registration marks 36, according to the original set up position designating marks 34, and a printing master plate is made from the card-like originals along with the original positioning holder for card printing 30 by duplication.

Abstract: A security card comprising a backing, a cover film, and a security image, the security image being located between the backing and the cover film, the backing and the cover film being laminated together without an intermediate adhesive layer, wherein the backing comprises an amorphous copolyester or polyvinyl chloride, and the cover film comprises the other of polyvinyl chloride or an amorphous copolyester. Also, a method for making such security cards.

Abstract: A means of identification or document of value which includes a paper or polymer region, in particular, bank notes, passports, identification cards or any other document of sufficient value to make it liable to be copied or counterfeited, includes a watermark in the region and a liquid crystal material applied to the region and to at least a part of the watermark to produce optical effects which differ when viewed in transmitted and reflected light.

Abstract: An assembly for creating laminated cards for printing by a laser printer has a backing sheet. The backing sheet has a first side with a release coating, and a second side with a printable surface. The assembly also has a card which has been cut from the backing sheet. A lamination sheet adhesively adheres to the first side of the backing sheet and to the cut card. A lamination strip which has been cut from the lamination sheet has a first portion which adheres to and covers one surface of the card. The lamination strip also has an integral second portion which adheres to the backing sheet adjacent to the cut card. The lamination strip maintains the cut card in the same position relative to the backing sheet that the card had prior to being cut. The assembly has a substantially constant thickness and substantially flat upper and lower surfaces so that the assembly can pass through a complex paper path without jamming. A method for creating laminated cards from such an assembly has several steps.

Abstract: An attachment for an identification card for providing information, such as medical data. The medical data is entered on one portion, and an attention strip is provided adjacent to that portion. When the attachment is mounted on an identification card, a fold between that portion and the attention strip is located at one edge of the card, with the medical data being freely available and accessible from the back of the identification card, while the attention strip is on the front to alert the user that information is available on the rear of the card.

Abstract: A label assembly includes a label having pre-printed indicia or a printable face on an information side and a pressure sensitive adhesive on a back side. The label is releasably adhered to a front side of a transparent sheet. The transparent sheet includes a pressure sensitive adhesive on a back side thereof releasably adhered to a carrier sheet. The label assembly includes a label that can be printed by the ultimate user. The label can then be removed from the transparent sheet and applied to an article. The transparent sheet can then be removed from the backing sheet and applied over the label to provide a protective cover for the label.

Abstract: A system for the automated production of an identification card includes a two-part security media and apparatus for printing, laminating and die-cutting the security media to form discrete identification cards. The two-part security media includes a continuous web of an opaque backing film, and a continuous web of a clear cover film which acts as a receptor for receiving a thermally printed digital card image. A first thermal web printer is operative for printing a reversed digital card image onto an inner surface of the cover film adjacent a terminal end thereof. A second thermal web printer prints a second image onto the back of the backing film at a terminal end thereof. The printed ends of the backing and cover films are advanced to a cutting station wherein they are aligned in overlying relation and severed from their webs.

Abstract: A tape is adapted to be secured to a container or other object which when removed therefrom causes the display of a message which was formerly not visible, such as a notification that the object has been tampered with, the tape being provided on one surface with an adhesive layer so that it can be attached to the object and provided on its opposite surface with a release layer so that it can be wound upon itself and readily dispensed without having to remove a protective liner therefrom, the message displayed by the tape both when initially secured to said object and after removal therefrom being located on said one surface of said tape, whereby said tape may be readily and inexpensively manufactured and readily dispensed from appropriate mechanical equipment in large quantity applications.

Abstract: An intermediate and a mailer-type business form are provided in which at least about 50% of a sheet forming the intermediate is of label stock. Portions of the release liner of the label stock are removed to edge seal the intermediate into a mailer by folding it about one or more fold lines, and the outgoing and return address indicia are reverse printed on the release sheet in alignment with removable (e.g. die cut) portions of the paper sheet, the addresses being exposed upon removal of the die cut label stock paper sheet portion at the reverse printed address portions. Other labels may also be die cut from the label stock.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a label structure which is a combination packing slip and shipping label for use on a package. The packing slip has a front side having an area onto which the destination of the package and a description of items to be contained in the package can be printed. The shipping label, which is preferably substantially transparent, has a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side preferably has an adhesive coating adhered thereto. The shipping label is removably attached to the back side of the packing slip until it is ready for use. In order to facilitate the removal of the shipping label from the back side of the packing slip, a layer having a substantially smooth surface is preferably adhered to the back side of the packing slip. In use, the destination of the package and the contents to be packed therein are preferably transcribed on the front side of the packing slip.

Abstract: A financial transaction card adapted for use in reading externally stored information includes a substantially non-foldable rigid base and a strip for carrying machine readable information, The rigid base comprises a magnifying lens.

Abstract: A card intermediate, as for identification, which includes a business form having one or more cards diecut into it and backed by a laminate of multi-ply film. An embodiment is illustrated where an exposed face of the laminate is reverse printed with alpha and/or numeric information so as to be readable when the card is removed from the form.

Abstract: An I D card intermediate which includes a business form having one or more I D cards diecut into it and backed by a laminate of multi-ply film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat transfer recording medium in which a substrate has items of information such as an image and characters formed on a surface thereof by heat transfer and a transparent protective layer is provided on at least a part of the surface of the thus recorded information through an adhesive layer, if required, characterized in that the adhesive layer and/or protective layer function to provide security against counterfeiting. Combining information recorded by heat transfer with a function to provide security against counterfeiting, the present invention provides greater security against falsifying or counterfeiting.

Abstract: An identification and information carrying assembly for use with a fire/rescue personnel accountability system includes a folded sheet of information-carrying material covered and sealed within transparent thermoplastic laminates. A cord is attached to the laminates, and a connector is attached to the cord for enabling the assembly to be removably fastened to fire/rescue helmets, clothing or other objects. Confidential medical information and/or medication contained within the folded sheet of laminated material is accessed by cutting the laminates along three edges of the folded sheet to permit the folded sheet to open like a book. The folded sheet of material can be resealed by use of clear adhesive tape along the three edges, and the confidential medical information and/or medication can be accessed again and again by such cutting and resealing.

Abstract: An identification card assembly, made from an intermediate, comprises a carrier sheet with at least one ID card mounted on, and having smaller dimensions than, the carrier sheet. The ID card is connected to repositional adhesive, which in turn is connected through a tie coat to paper label stock, in turn connected by permanent adhesive to the paper carrier sheet. The assembly is constructed from an intermediate which includes a roll of release material on which are provided a number of spaced ID cards and associated adhesive. The carrier sheet is fed through a non-impact printer for variably imaging indicia on the top face of the ID card. A carrier sheet can be made into a mailer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a document authentication concept wherein a transparent tape having encoded text thereon is applied to the document. The encoded text printed on the transparent tape is printed with invisible ink so that the message thereon is not visible to the unaided eye. Preferably, the ink is visible in the infrared range. With such a combination, the authentication medium can be applied to a document that has a predetermined format so that the tape can be placed over a portion of the text and the latter will still be readable.

Abstract: A method of making a printed product comprising a photographic print on a substrate, a border printed on the substrate around the print and a transparent film coated on the substrate, overlying and in registry with the print.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a first flexible lamina of predetermined thickness from a second lamina to which the first lamina is adhered along an edge (e.g., a pouch for use in an identification card). The apparatus includes a channel having a thickness not substantially greater than the combined thickness of the laminae, an impeller for impelling the laminae together through the channel and out of the outlet end, a cutter adjacent the outlet of the channel positioned to contact the edge at which the two laminae are adhered adjacent the line of adhesion between the laminae, thus separating the laminae, and a wedge adjacent the cutter so that as the first and second laminae are separated by the cutter and impelled past the wedge, the two laminae pass on opposed sides of the wedge, thereby increasing the separation between the laminae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat transfer recording medium in which a substrate has items of information such as an image and characters formed on the surface thereof by heat transfer and a transparent protective layer is provided on at least a part of the surface of the thus recorded information through an adhesive layer, if required, characterized in that the adhesive layer and/or protective layer function to provide security against counterfeiting. Combining information recorded by heat transfer with a function to provide security against counterfeiting, the present invention provides greater security against falsifying or counterfeiting.

Abstract: A card intermediate, as for identification, which includes a business form having one or more cards diecut into it and backed by a laminate of multi-ply film.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a first flexible lamina of predetermined thickness from a second lamina to which the first lamina is adhered along an edge (e.g., a pouch for use in an identification card) includes a channel having a thickness not substantially greater than the combined thickness of the laminae, an impeller for impelling the laminae together through the channel and out of the outlet end, a cutter adjacent the outlet of the channel positioned to contact the edge at which the two laminae are adhered adjacent the line of adhesion between the laminae, thus separating the laminae, and a wedge adjacent the cutter so that as the first and second laminae are separated by the cutter and impelled past the wedge, the two laminae pass on opposed sides of the wedge, thereby increasing the separation between the laminae.

Abstract: A business form that is particularly suitable for use as a fishing and/or hunting license is easy to understand and use, is protected from moisture, chemicals and wear, allows for the entry of indicia that will be readable after use for a year, cannot readily be accurately photocopied, will not fade as a result of exposure to sunlight, and has a tamper-evident feature. A first quadrate ply of opaque cellulose based water resistant material is permanently attached at only a first portion to a second quadrate ply of transparent plastic material. A second adhesive pattern, applied to both cooperating faces of the first and second plies, or merely to one of the faces, releasably connects the plies together, but is adapted to receive a separable sheet, typically a hunting and/or fishing license, between the plies and to hold the fishing license in place. First indicia facilitating entry of fish caught or game shot data is imaged on the opposite face of the first ply from the second ply.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic product such as a bumper having a label with information that preferably provides recycling information concerning the product. The product is formed by applying a mold release agent to a fiber reinforced plastic mold and then applying a gel coating over the release agent. A first resin impregnated fiber mat is place on the gel coating and a second resin impregnated fiber mat is placed over the first. The mats are pushed into contact with one another by a roller or brush or the like to adhere the two mats to one another. The label is placed in contact with one of the fiber mats while the mat is in an unhardened state. A transparent surface mat is positioned over the label so as to cover and protect the label and such that the label is easily viewed.

Abstract: A customized insert sheet is laminated by heat and pressure between a plastic cover sheet and a major portion of a folder sheet. A heat activatable adhesive strip may thereafter be applied to an adhesive strip receiving channel adjacent a side edge of the plastic cover sheet, and edge portions of a stack of sheets may then be affixed to the adhesive strip receiving channel by heating the adhesive strip. The cover sheet is affixed to a side edge portion of the folder sheet to reduce wrinkling of the cover sheet upon lamination.

Abstract: A presentation folder having a plastic cover sheet or front and back cover sheets joined at a common edge, capable of holding and protecting contents such as papers having information thereon. The cover sheet has pre-applied graphics forming selected opaque display areas, the remaining areas being transparent or translucent and thus capable of revealing at least some of the information on said papers.

Abstract: A label for packaged products about which information is to be provided with the package includes a bottom layer of imprintable material having an adhesive coating on one surface thereof and indicia pre-printed on the other surface thereof, and an upper layer of clear plastic film laminated to the bottom layer at opposite end portions thereof and substantially covering the printed surface of said bottom layer, the upper layer having a window die cut therein to expose a portion of the surface of the bottom layer through the plastic film for the imprinting of additional indicia at the time of the label application.

Abstract: A reusable telecopier cover page having an opaque sheet and a laminated or adhered transparent plastic sheet and which is capable of being delivered through the in-feed of a telecopier to an output thereof. A portion of the opaque sheet is removed to provide a window. In one embodiment, a portion of the transparent plastic sheet at the window is provided with an adhesive coating to adhesively hold a calling card or like printed member bearing identification of the sender. The front sheet is also capable of having material written thereon and easily erased therefrom as, for example, by a marking pen or pencil having readily removable ink. In another embodiment, the window is provided with a peripheral flap formed on one of the sheets so as to retentively, but nevertheless removably hold a calling card or other printed member bearing identification of the sender.

Abstract: A financial transaction card adapted for individual use in reading information stored externally to the card, having machine readable information contained thereon identifying the user and the issuing institution for transacting business at locations remote from the issuing institution, includes:a. a rigid substantially rectangular base comprising a substantially transparent material and having a top surface and a bottom surface;b. machine readable information carried on the base for identifying the user and the issuing institution; andc. a magnifying lens produced by formation of fresnel contour lines on the top surface of the base and in non-interfering relationship with the machine readable information.

Abstract: An identification tag is manufactured by driving a toner printer or color printer with a word processing and graphics programmed computer to print identification indicia in the form of toner or color characters and optional graphics indicia fused to a surface of a transparent sheet. Die cutting the printed sheet and a highly contrasted sheet such as a sheet with specular reflection to the shape of a cavity. Stacking the sheets in the cavity with the transparent sheet above the other sheet and sealing the cavity with a transparent cover such as by sonic welding a polycarbonate enclosure.

Abstract: A business form 10 includes a planar carrier 12 having a card 14 demarcated therein and a window 18 defined in the carrier 12 adjacent the card 14. A planar element 20 of a synthetic plastics material is laminated to the carrier 12 in register with the card 14 and the window 18 so that a part 20.1 of the element 20 is arranged within the window 18. A coating of adhesive material is carried by at least that part 20.1 of the element 20 in the window 18 so that, upon removal of the card 14 and that part 20.1 of the element 20 in the window 18, said part 20.1 of the element 20 can be folded over onto the card 14 and adhesively secured to the card 14 to form an arrangement where both surfaces of the card 14 are covered by the plastics material.

Abstract: A plastic card provided with a magnetic stripe, which is very difficult to forge or alter and, even tough subjected to forgery or alteration, enables the forgery or alteration to be easily detected in appearance.The plastic card comprises a card substrate and a hologram-magnetic stripe comprising, provided on said card substrate in the following order, an adhesive layer, a first magnetic recording layer, a second magnetic recording layer, a metallic reflecting layer and a hologram forming layer. The first magnetic recording layer and the second magnetic recording layer are such that one of the magnetic recording layers has a coercive force at least twice as high as the other magnetic layer and a Curie point at least 100.degree. C. below the other magnetic layer and, when the magnetic recording layers are heated at a temperature in the range of from the lower Curie point to 30.degree. C. below the lower Curie point, they become substantially identical to each other in saturation writing current value.

Abstract: A document backer for supporting and carrying damaged checks, drafts and other financial documents through data processing machines. The document backer includes a translucent backing sheet with a vellum strip adhered to the lower edge thereof. The backing sheet includes an adhesive for affixing a check or other document thereto. The vellum strip is suitable for imprinting with magnetically readable characters. The document backer may also include a detachable cover sheet that is removed just prior to use. The document backer is particularly adapted to digital imaging systems, as the face of the check may be supported and presented as originally prepared, with no visual distortion or impairment, while the entire surface of the back of the check may also be photographed or microfilmed through the translucent backing sheet.

Abstract: A window badge (10) comprises a substrate (11) having an elongate channel (16) for slidably receiving therein an elongate strip having indicia thereon and a see-through panel (17) united with the substrate (11) and bridging the channel (16) such that the opposite ends of the channel (16) are open. The arrangement is such that the strip may be positioned in the channel (16) so that the indicia are visible through the panel (17) and are centrally located behind the panel (17).

Abstract: An optical card having visible data marked on a base layer and a substantially transparent optical data recording layer formed over the base layer. A protective layer is laminated over the optical data recording layer. The visible data marked on the base may be marked in an ink visible only at a nonvisual wavelength, such as infrared. A reader scans the visible data marked on the base layer, since the optical recording layer covering the base layer is substantially transparent.

Abstract: A method of laminating a customized presentation folder including placing a plastic cover sheet on one cover face of the folder and sealing the bottom of the plastic cover sheet thereon, inserting an insert sheet behind the plastic cover sheet in-between it and the cover face, inverting the folder and urging the folder, bottom first, through a laminator for fabricating a customized presentation folder in which any skinning that occurs on the inside of the folder is hidden.

Abstract: A hologram decal including a hologram layer having first and second surfaces, a first polymer layer secured to the first hologram surface, a second polymer layer secured to the second hologram surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the non-hologram side of one of the first and second polymer layers, and a release liner covering said pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and techniques for making the hologram decal.

Abstract: Basic commodity or collector's object in particular of a high replacement collector's value with an identification label, whereby the identification label is formed in material of the object itself as an optical mark which is not visible if illuminated with a light source with a wavelength range within the sensitivity range of the human eye but is visible to the human eye if illuminated with a light source outside this sensitivity range the label being situated in an area of a housing surface or other area of the which is optically transparent for at least a part of the wavelength range within the sensitivity range of the human eye and for an additional wavelength range which is outside the sensitivity range of the human eye and which is used to read the label, whereby the undamaged nature of the area is at least to a high degree important when evaluating the replacement or collector's value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat transfer recording medium in which a substrate has items of information such as an image and characters formed on a surface thereof by heat transfer and a transparent protective layer is provided on at least a part of the surface of the thus recorded information through an adhesive layer, if required, characterized in that the adhesive layer and/or protective layer function to provide security against counterfeiting. Combining information recorded by heat transfer with a function to provide security against counterfeiting, the present invention provides greater security against falsifying or counterfeiting.

Abstract: A personal information packet to be carried by a child or other person to provide identification and relevant information to authorities in the event of an emergency comprises a folded information card bearing personal information on the shielded inwardly folded side of the card sealed within a transparent plastic envelope to secure the card against outward view of the personal information and against unauthorized removal of the card without breaching the sealed integrity of the envelope. A notice is printed on the outward side of the card to alert authorities that personal information is contained within the packet and a broken line shows authorities where to cut open the packet without obliterating the information.

Abstract: An image-receiving element and a method of using same in the production of images by thermal dye transfer processing, the image-receiving element comprising a support, a polymeric security layer having a printed security layer, and an image-receiving layer for receiving dye by thermal transfer from a dye donor sheet, the polymeric security layer having cohesivity less than its adhesivity for each layer contiguous and the printed security pattern being destroyed by an attempted delamination of the image-receiving layer from the image-receiving element.

Abstract: The present invention is a card for displaying information and a method for making the same. The present invention includes printing the desired information in reverse onto a transparent piece of silicon coated vinyl. The vinyl is then fused to a plastic substrate sealing the printed ink between the vinyl and the plastic substrate and allowing the ink to leach into, and permanently mark, the plastic substrate.

Abstract: A document laminate includes laminating sheets with adhesive on facing sides to laminate a document between the sheets, and shielding sheets covering the document and received within the laminating sheets. When the adhesive is heat activated, the shielding sheets are selected to be not degraded by the activating heat. A document can therefore be removed from the laminate by cutting along a line at one edge of the shielding sheets, and removing the document, which is not adhered to the shielding sheets or the laminating sheets.

Abstract: The self-sealing card assembly comprises an intermediate plastic substrate having upper and lower clear polyethylene layers and an intermediate polyurethane layer therebetween, permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the faces of the polyethylene layers, a release liner overlying approximately one-half of the upper adhesive and an ID card overlying the remaining half of the adhesive. The lower adhesive layer adheres the card assembly to a carrier sheet whereby the card assembly and carrier sheet may form a mailer. The recipient completes the information requested on the ID card, peels the upper three layers from the carrier sheet by separating the upper polyethylene layer from the polyurethane layer, removes the upper half of the release liner and folds the clear polyethylene layer onto the upper surface of the ID card to form the laminated card. To manufacture the assembly, the plastic substrate is passed through adhesive applicators and release liners are adhered to its opposite sides.

Abstract: An intermediate from an I.D. card and method in which paper equipped with a patch of release material is combined with a film carrying pressure sensitive adhesive. The paper is die-cut in a generally rectangular configuration and so also is the film in a fashion so as to permit folding of the film on itself to encapsulate the card.

Abstract: A placemat defining a translucent upper surface supporting a red/yellow obscuring design; a plate formed of a transparent red material; and a latent image formed on the placemat obscured by the red/yellow design, the plate being placed upon the placemat overlying the latent image to filter out the obscuring design and reveal the latent image.

Abstract: An optical security device for use on a security article comprises a number of layers including an optically diffracting layer and an at least partially reflective layer which together generate a first image. A non-optically diffracting second image is provided within the device in association with the first image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel printed glass grating decorative plate, to be used as building decorations, articles of daily use and furniture ornaments. It includes a glass plate coated by silk-screen printing technology with a layer of pattern in colored printing ink or of vitreous enamel, a layer of adhered transparent resin and a layer of resin in grating relief with reflexive metal film. This plate has not only an excellent quality of wear-resistance but also magnificent and attractive color effects.

Abstract: Two plastic cover sheets, each of which would produce warping upon lamination by heat and pressure, are loosely affixed to a presentation folder paper core sheet to provide a plastic envelope. Graphic indicia bearing insert sheets can be laminated between both sides of the core sheet and the plastic cover sheets to provide an attractive display of the graphic indicia. Manufacturing costs are saved since anti-warpage backing sheets need not be face laminated to substantial areas of the folder sheet. Also, the plastic envelope sold to the user before lamination is not bowed in contrast to the prior art envelope. A security folder which is difficult to compromise, using carbonless paper, is also disclosed.